Renseignement et diplomatie : repenser l’origine de la ‘relation spéciale’

Abstract

Sigint cooperation between Britain and the United States during the Second World War helped pave the way for their 'special relationship.' However, both countries were very reluctant to share intelligence about their most secret sources. Reaching agreements in this sensitive field proved extremely difficult and the discussions leading to them constituted a new form of diplomacy. Intelligence was by no means the only issue at stake. At the onset of the war, the United Kingdom was still the leading force in cryptanalysis, but in the course of the war, the balance of power between the two nations shifted. Britain tried to prevent this trend at all costs. This sigint alliance between two world leaders in cryptanalysis which started during the war remains a cornerstone of the relationship between the two countries.

Keywords

• diplomatie
• relation spéciale
• renseignement
• sécurité
• sources
• renseignement technique